Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE STUNG TRENG
Stung Treng is rather out on a limb when it comes to transport, all the more so given that services to and from Banlung
bypass the town completely - although the construction of a massive new 1.7km-long bridge over the Mekong just west
of town will significantly improve transport connections with central Cambodia, linking with the new road to
Siem Reap
via Tbeang Meanchey
. Minibuses are already running along this new road to Siem Reap (with a ferry to get you across
the Mekong) - significantly quicker than the bus, if you don't mind the $25 fare. Regular bus services will doubtless
commence as soon as the bridge is finished (sometime in 2015, according to latest estimates). Cambodia's one and only
border crossing into
Laos
is at
Trapeang Kriel
, 57km north of Stung Treng.
By bus
There is currently just a single early-morning
departure to Phnom Penh via Kratie and Kompong Cham
operated by Phnom Penh Sorya (a second Rith Mony
service had temporarily ceased operating at the time of
writing, but may have resumed by the time you read this)
and a second (even earlier) Phnom Penh Sorya service to
Siem Reap. Buses to Banlung bypass the town, meaning
that you'll have to catch a minibus or shared taxi. Phnom
Penh Sorya have an o
ce in the centre of town, while bus
and minibus tickets can be booked through the
Riverside
Guesthouse
and
Ponika's Palace
restaurant.
Destinations
Kompong Cham (1 daily; 7hr); Kratie (3 daily;
4hr); Phnom Penh (3 daily; 10hr); Siem Reap (1 daily;
11-12hr).
By shared taxi and minibus
The transport stop is in the
north of town on the riverfront - given the paucity of
transport, it pays to arrive early.
Destinations
Banlung (4-6 daily; 2hr); Kratie (4-6 daily;
3hr 30min); Phnom Penh (4 daily; 9hr); Siem Reap via
Tbeang Meanchey (1-2 daily; 7-8hr).
TO LAOS
Leaving Cambodia
The road from Stung Treng to the
border at Trapeang Kriel is in good condition, with the
journey taking just over 1hr. The border itself is open daily
7am-5pm; Laos visas (roughly $30-40 depending on
nationality) are issued on the spot if you don't have one
already. Several companies run through-buses from
various places in Cambodia to various destinations in Laos
including Don Det (around $15) and Pakse ($17), while
some minibuses also cover the same routes. Tickets for both
buses and minibuses can be bought at guesthouses in
Stung Treng, Banlung and elsewhere.
Entering Cambodia
Visas are issued on arrival (roughy
$30-40, depending on nationality). If you're not arriving
on a through-bus, check out the onward transport in
shared taxis and minibuses from the border to Stung Treng,
and possibly further south to Kratie, Kompong Cham and
even Phnom Penh depending on how early you arrive and
how lucky you get, although there's a fair chance you'll end
up spending the night in Stung Treng.
4
GETTING AROUND
Stung Treng is easily negotiated on foot;
motos
are readily available, although there aren't many
tuk-tuks
in town.
By bike and motorbike
You can rent bicycles ($2/day)
and motorbikes ($8-10/day) at the
Riverside Guesthouse
(see below) and
Ponika's Palace
(see p.226); the
Riverside
and Xplore Asia (see p.226) also have mountain bikes
for
$5/day and Xplore Asia offers a drop-off service whereby
you can take one of their bikes for $10/day and deposit it in
Kratie, Siem Reap or at their o
ce in Phnom Penh.
ACCOMMODATION
Golden River Hotel
Riverfront, just east of the
transport stop
T
012 980678,
W
goldenriverhotel.com.
Overlooking the Sekong River, this e
ciently run hotel is the
town's smartest accommodation, with neat but rath
er s
mall
a/c rooms. Decent value, albeit with zero character.
$15
Riverside Guesthouse
By the transport stop
T
012
439454.
The epicentre of Stung Treng's very modest
travellers' scene. The best of the bright, clean rooms are at
the front, though they're not for light sleepers as they
overlook the transport stop. There's a passable café
downstairs (see p.226) with book exchange, and owner
Mr T is a great sou
rce
of i
nform
ation about local tours and
onward travel. Fan
$6
; a/c
$12
Stung Treng Guesthouse
On the main road, across
from the market
T
012 916465.
Downstairs it's a
furniture showroom, stuffed to the gills with huge, floridly
carved sofas, beds and chairs. Upstairs is a very passable
hotel, with large and nicely appointed a/c rooms with hot
water and smaller but good-value fan r
oo
ms
with
cold
water (although some lack windows). Fan
$8
; a/c
$15
Tonle Guesthouse
500m west of town on the
riverfront
T
092 674990.
In an attractive modern villa on
stilts set in a shady garden, this guesthouse serves as a
vocational tourism training centre for disadvantaged local
youngsters. The four simply furnished but comfortable
rooms (fan only) open onto an airy communal lounge.
Bathrooms are
sha
red and meals are available but need to
be pre-booked.
$8
FROM TOP
KA CHHANG WATERFALL
P.234
; WAT NOKOR
P.215
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